Information Notice 2000-16, Volatilization of Radionuclides and Emergency Procedures: Difference between revisions
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{{#Wiki_filter: | {{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES | ||
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION | |||
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS | |||
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 October 5, 2000 | |||
NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2000-16: POTENTIAL HAZARDS DUE TO | |||
VOLATILIZATION OF RADIONUCLIDES | |||
==Addressees== | ==Addressees== | ||
: | : | ||
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensees that process unsealed byproduct | |||
material. | |||
==Purpose== | ==Purpose== | ||
: | : | ||
NRC is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert addressees to the potential hazards | |||
associated with the volatilization of radiochemicals and/or radiopharmaceuticals if containment | |||
is breached during chemical or physical processing. | |||
The incident described below involves the volatilization of technetium-99m (Tc-99m) during the | |||
manufacture of a cardiac imaging agent in a radiopharmacy. However, licensees should be | |||
aware of the potential hazards posed by the volatilization of other radionuclides under similar | |||
conditions and ensure that their emergency procedures adequately address those hazards. | |||
It is expected that recipients will review this information for applicability to their operations and | |||
consider actions, as appropriate. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are | |||
not new NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action nor written response is required. | |||
Background: | |||
IN 95-07, issued on January 27, 1995, described the potential for cracking vials and significant | |||
contamination when medical and radiopharmacy licensees heat vials of Cardiolite, a cardiac | |||
imaging agent, as part of the process to label the pharmaceutical with Tc-99m. The IN | |||
described incidents in which vials cracked during the heating phase of the tagging process of | |||
Cardiolite, and the subsequent volatilization of the Tc-99m which resulted in significant facility | |||
contamination. | |||
==Description of Circumstances== | |||
: | |||
In August of 1999, NRC conducted a special inspection to review the circumstances of a similar | |||
accident at a radiopharmacy. The incident occurred while the licensee was using a heating | |||
block to process 35 gigabecquerels (950 millicuries) of Tc-99m in 1.3 milliliters of Cardiolite | |||
solution. The vial ruptured, and the heat from the block caused the liquid to volatilize, spreading contamination in the laboratory as well as to unrestricted areas throughout the | |||
pharmacy. | |||
The licensees employees did not immediately recognize the volatilization induced spread of the | |||
contamination, and continued to work in the laboratory. They did not follow their emergency | |||
procedure, which required evacuation of the laboratory in case of a major spill [defined as a spill | |||
involving more than 3.7 gigabecquerels (100 millicuries) of Tc-99m]. In addition, the ventilation | |||
system was not shut down, causing circulation of Tc-99m throughout the pharmacy. | |||
The incident resulted in the contamination of pharmacy staff, as well as packages prepared for | |||
shipment to pharmacy customers. Some of the packages were shipped to customers with | |||
levels of removable contamination that exceeded regulatory limits. The incident did not result in | |||
significant external or internal dose to pharmacy staff. | |||
Discussion: | |||
Volatilization of radiochemicals or radiopharmaceuticals can create an airborne hazard, potentially resulting in internal doses to workers and spread of contamination to unrestricted | |||
areas through ventilation systems. | |||
Licensees should review their procedures for handling radioactive materials to identify | |||
processes that could cause volatilization. In addition to direct heating, as in the example above, exothermic chemical reactions and changes in pH can result in volatilization of some materials. | |||
Some organic compounds may volatilize at room temperature if stored in open containers. | |||
Licensees should ensure that their emergency procedures adequately address this scenario if | |||
they handle or process radioactive materials in a manner that could cause volatilization. The | |||
emergency procedures should include, at a minimum, instructions to immediately evacuate and | |||
secure the affected areas. Licensees should also assess their ventilation systems and | |||
determine whether emergency procedures are appropriate to prevent circulation of radioactive | |||
contamination to other areas within the facility. Licensees may also consider performing heating | |||
procedures or potential volatile processes in a laboratory hood with independent ventilation. | |||
This information notice requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any | |||
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below | |||
or the appropriate regional office. | |||
/RA/ | |||
Donald A. Cool, Director | |||
Division of Industrial and | |||
Medical Nuclear Safety | |||
Office of Nuclear Material Safety | |||
and Safeguards | |||
===Technical Contact:=== | |||
===Kevin G. Null, Region III=== | |||
630-829-9854 E-mail: kgn@nrc.gov | |||
Attachments: | |||
1. List of Recently issued NMSS Information Notices | |||
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices The licensees employees did not immediately recognize the volatilization induced spread of the | |||
contamination, and continued to work in the laboratory. They did not follow their emergency | |||
procedure, which required evacuation of the laboratory in case of a major spill [defined as a spill | |||
involving more than 3.7 gigabecquerels (100 millicuries) of Tc-99m]. In addition, the ventilation | |||
system was not shut down, causing circulation of Tc-99m throughout the pharmacy. | |||
The incident resulted in the contamination of pharmacy staff, as well as packages prepared for | |||
shipment to pharmacy customers. Some of the packages were shipped to customers with | |||
levels of removable contamination that exceeded regulatory limits. The incident did not result in | |||
significant external or internal dose to pharmacy staff. | |||
Discussion: | |||
Volatilization of radiochemicals or radiopharmaceuticals can create an airborne hazard, potentially resulting in internal doses to workers and spread of contamination to unrestricted | |||
areas through ventilation systems. | |||
Licensees should review their procedures for handling radioactive materials to identify | |||
processes that could cause volatilization. In addition to direct heating, as in the example above, exothermic chemical reactions and changes in pH can result in volatilization of some materials. | |||
Some organic compounds may volatilize at room temperature if stored in open containers. | |||
Licensees should ensure that their emergency procedures adequately address this scenario if | |||
they handle or process radioactive materials in a manner that could cause volatilization. The | |||
emergency procedures should include, at a minimum, instructions to immediately evacuate and | |||
secure the affected areas. Licensees should also assess their ventilation systems and | |||
determine whether emergency procedures are appropriate to prevent circulation of radioactive | |||
contamination to other areas within the facility. Licensees may also consider performing | |||
heating procedures or potential volatile processes in a laboratory hood with independent | |||
ventilation. | |||
This information notice requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any | |||
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below | |||
or the appropriate regional office. | |||
/RA/ | |||
Donald A. Cool, Director | |||
Division of Industrial and | |||
Medical Nuclear Safety | |||
Office of Nuclear Material Safety | |||
and Safeguards | |||
===Technical Contact:=== | |||
===Kevin G. Null, Region III=== | |||
630-829-9854 E-mail: kgn@nrc.gov | |||
Attachments: | |||
1. List of Recently issued NMSS Information Notices | |||
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices | |||
DOCUMENT NAME: IMNS7943 G:\INVOLATILE_REV.WPD Accession No. ML003753003 | |||
*See previous concurrence OFFICIAL RECORD COPY | |||
OFFICE RIII RIII NMSS | |||
: | NAME Null:mb* Pederson* Cool:jh for cool* | ||
DATE 09/27/2000 09/ 27 /2000 10/ 02 /2000 | |||
Attachment 1 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED | |||
NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES | |||
_____________________________________________________________________________________ | |||
Information Date of | |||
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to | |||
_____________________________________________________________________________________ | |||
2000-15 Recent Events Resulting in 9/29/2000 All radiography licensees | |||
Whole Body Exposures | |||
Exceeding Regulatory Limits | |||
2000-12 Potential Degradation of 9/21/2000 All holders of licenses for nuclear | |||
Firefighter Primary Protective power, research, and test | |||
Garments reactors and fuel cycle facilities | |||
2000-11 Licensee Responsibility for 8/7/2000 All U.S. NRC 10 CFR Part 50 and | |||
Quality Assurance Oversight of Part 72 licensees, and Part 72 Contractor Activities Regarding Certificate of Compliance holders | |||
Fabrication and Use of Spent | |||
Fuel Storage Cask Systems | |||
2000-10 Recent Events Resulting in 7/18/2000 All material licensees who | |||
Extremity Exposures prepare or use unsealed | |||
Exceeding Regulatory Limits radioactive materials, radio- pharmaceuticals, or sealed | |||
sources for medical use or for | |||
research and development | |||
2000-07 National Institute for 4/10/2000 All holders of operating licenses | |||
Occupational Safety and for nuclear power reactors, non- Health Respirator User Notice: power reactors, and all fuel cycle | |||
Special Precautions for Using and material licensees required to | |||
Certain Self-Contained have an NRC approved | |||
Breathing Apparatus Air emergency plan | |||
Cylinders | |||
2000-05 Recent Medical 3/06/2000 All medical licensees | |||
Misadministrations Resulting | |||
from Inattention to Detail | |||
2. | 2000-04 1999 Enforcement Sanctions 2/25/2000 All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory | ||
for Deliberate Violations of Commission licensees | |||
NRC Employee Protection | |||
Requirements | |||
2000-03 High-Efficiency Particulate Air 2/22/2000 All NRC licensed fuel-cycled | |||
Filter Exceeds Mass Limit conversion, enrichment, and | |||
Before Reaching Expected fabrication facilities | |||
Differential Pressure | |||
Attachment 2 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED | |||
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES | |||
_____________________________________________________________________________________ | |||
Information Date of | |||
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to | |||
______________________________________________________________________________________ | |||
2000-15 Recent Events Resulting in 9/29/2000 All radiography licensees | |||
Whole Body Exposures | |||
Exceeding Regulatory Limits | |||
2000-14 Non-Vital Bus Fault Leads to 9/27/2000 All holders of OL for nuclear | |||
Fire and Loss of Offsite Power power reactors | |||
2000-13 Review of Refueling Outage 9/27/2000 All holders of OL for nuclear | |||
Risk power reactors | |||
2000-12 Potential Degradation of 9/21/2000 All holders of licenses for nuclear | |||
Firefighter Primary Protective power, research, and test | |||
Garments reactors and fuel cycle facilities | |||
2000-11 Licensee Responsibility for 8/7/2000 All U.S. NRC 10 CFR Part 50 and | |||
Quality Assurance Oversight of Part 72 licensees, and Part 72 Contractor Activities Regarding Certificate of Compliance holders | |||
Fabrication and Use of Spent | |||
Fuel Storage Cask Systems | |||
2000-10 Recent Events Resulting in 7/18/2000 All material licensees who | |||
Extremity Exposures prepare or use unsealed | |||
Exceeding Regulatory Limits radioactive materials, radio- pharmaceuticals, or sealed | |||
sources for medical use or for | |||
research and development | |||
95-03, Supp 2 Loss of Reactor Coolant 7/03/2000 All holders of OL for nuclear | |||
Inventory and Potential Loss of power reactors except those who | |||
Emergency Mitigation have ceased operations and have | |||
Functions While in a Shutdown certified that fuel has been | |||
Condition permanently removed from the | |||
reactor vessel | |||
2000-09 Steam Generator Tube Failure 6/28/2000 All holders of OL for nuclear | |||
at Indian Point Unit 2 power reactors, except those who | |||
have permanently ceased | |||
operations and have certified that | |||
fuel has been permanently | |||
______________________________________________________________________________________ | |||
OL = Operating License | |||
CP = Construction Permit | |||
removed from | |||
the reactor | |||
vessel | |||
______________________________________________________________________________________ | |||
OL = Operating License | |||
CP = Construction Permit}} | |||
{{Information notice-Nav}} | {{Information notice-Nav}} |
Latest revision as of 06:13, 24 November 2019
ML003753003 | |
Person / Time | |
---|---|
Issue date: | 10/05/2000 |
From: | Cool D NRC/NMSS/IMNS |
To: | |
Null K | |
References | |
IN-00-016 | |
Download: ML003753003 (4) | |
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 October 5, 2000
NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2000-16: POTENTIAL HAZARDS DUE TO
VOLATILIZATION OF RADIONUCLIDES
Addressees
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensees that process unsealed byproduct
material.
Purpose
NRC is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert addressees to the potential hazards
associated with the volatilization of radiochemicals and/or radiopharmaceuticals if containment
is breached during chemical or physical processing.
The incident described below involves the volatilization of technetium-99m (Tc-99m) during the
manufacture of a cardiac imaging agent in a radiopharmacy. However, licensees should be
aware of the potential hazards posed by the volatilization of other radionuclides under similar
conditions and ensure that their emergency procedures adequately address those hazards.
It is expected that recipients will review this information for applicability to their operations and
consider actions, as appropriate. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are
not new NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action nor written response is required.
Background:
IN 95-07, issued on January 27, 1995, described the potential for cracking vials and significant
contamination when medical and radiopharmacy licensees heat vials of Cardiolite, a cardiac
imaging agent, as part of the process to label the pharmaceutical with Tc-99m. The IN
described incidents in which vials cracked during the heating phase of the tagging process of
Cardiolite, and the subsequent volatilization of the Tc-99m which resulted in significant facility
contamination.
Description of Circumstances
In August of 1999, NRC conducted a special inspection to review the circumstances of a similar
accident at a radiopharmacy. The incident occurred while the licensee was using a heating
block to process 35 gigabecquerels (950 millicuries) of Tc-99m in 1.3 milliliters of Cardiolite
solution. The vial ruptured, and the heat from the block caused the liquid to volatilize, spreading contamination in the laboratory as well as to unrestricted areas throughout the
pharmacy.
The licensees employees did not immediately recognize the volatilization induced spread of the
contamination, and continued to work in the laboratory. They did not follow their emergency
procedure, which required evacuation of the laboratory in case of a major spill [defined as a spill
involving more than 3.7 gigabecquerels (100 millicuries) of Tc-99m]. In addition, the ventilation
system was not shut down, causing circulation of Tc-99m throughout the pharmacy.
The incident resulted in the contamination of pharmacy staff, as well as packages prepared for
shipment to pharmacy customers. Some of the packages were shipped to customers with
levels of removable contamination that exceeded regulatory limits. The incident did not result in
significant external or internal dose to pharmacy staff.
Discussion:
Volatilization of radiochemicals or radiopharmaceuticals can create an airborne hazard, potentially resulting in internal doses to workers and spread of contamination to unrestricted
areas through ventilation systems.
Licensees should review their procedures for handling radioactive materials to identify
processes that could cause volatilization. In addition to direct heating, as in the example above, exothermic chemical reactions and changes in pH can result in volatilization of some materials.
Some organic compounds may volatilize at room temperature if stored in open containers.
Licensees should ensure that their emergency procedures adequately address this scenario if
they handle or process radioactive materials in a manner that could cause volatilization. The
emergency procedures should include, at a minimum, instructions to immediately evacuate and
secure the affected areas. Licensees should also assess their ventilation systems and
determine whether emergency procedures are appropriate to prevent circulation of radioactive
contamination to other areas within the facility. Licensees may also consider performing heating
procedures or potential volatile processes in a laboratory hood with independent ventilation.
This information notice requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below
or the appropriate regional office.
/RA/
Donald A. Cool, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
Kevin G. Null, Region III
630-829-9854 E-mail: kgn@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. List of Recently issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices The licensees employees did not immediately recognize the volatilization induced spread of the
contamination, and continued to work in the laboratory. They did not follow their emergency
procedure, which required evacuation of the laboratory in case of a major spill [defined as a spill
involving more than 3.7 gigabecquerels (100 millicuries) of Tc-99m]. In addition, the ventilation
system was not shut down, causing circulation of Tc-99m throughout the pharmacy.
The incident resulted in the contamination of pharmacy staff, as well as packages prepared for
shipment to pharmacy customers. Some of the packages were shipped to customers with
levels of removable contamination that exceeded regulatory limits. The incident did not result in
significant external or internal dose to pharmacy staff.
Discussion:
Volatilization of radiochemicals or radiopharmaceuticals can create an airborne hazard, potentially resulting in internal doses to workers and spread of contamination to unrestricted
areas through ventilation systems.
Licensees should review their procedures for handling radioactive materials to identify
processes that could cause volatilization. In addition to direct heating, as in the example above, exothermic chemical reactions and changes in pH can result in volatilization of some materials.
Some organic compounds may volatilize at room temperature if stored in open containers.
Licensees should ensure that their emergency procedures adequately address this scenario if
they handle or process radioactive materials in a manner that could cause volatilization. The
emergency procedures should include, at a minimum, instructions to immediately evacuate and
secure the affected areas. Licensees should also assess their ventilation systems and
determine whether emergency procedures are appropriate to prevent circulation of radioactive
contamination to other areas within the facility. Licensees may also consider performing
heating procedures or potential volatile processes in a laboratory hood with independent
ventilation.
This information notice requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below
or the appropriate regional office.
/RA/
Donald A. Cool, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
Kevin G. Null, Region III
630-829-9854 E-mail: kgn@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. List of Recently issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
DOCUMENT NAME: IMNS7943 G:\INVOLATILE_REV.WPD Accession No. ML003753003
- See previous concurrence OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
OFFICE RIII RIII NMSS
NAME Null:mb* Pederson* Cool:jh for cool*
DATE 09/27/2000 09/ 27 /2000 10/ 02 /2000
Attachment 1 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Information Date of
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2000-15 Recent Events Resulting in 9/29/2000 All radiography licensees
Whole Body Exposures
Exceeding Regulatory Limits
2000-12 Potential Degradation of 9/21/2000 All holders of licenses for nuclear
Firefighter Primary Protective power, research, and test
Garments reactors and fuel cycle facilities
2000-11 Licensee Responsibility for 8/7/2000 All U.S. NRC 10 CFR Part 50 and
Quality Assurance Oversight of Part 72 licensees, and Part 72 Contractor Activities Regarding Certificate of Compliance holders
Fabrication and Use of Spent
Fuel Storage Cask Systems
2000-10 Recent Events Resulting in 7/18/2000 All material licensees who
Extremity Exposures prepare or use unsealed
Exceeding Regulatory Limits radioactive materials, radio- pharmaceuticals, or sealed
sources for medical use or for
research and development
2000-07 National Institute for 4/10/2000 All holders of operating licenses
Occupational Safety and for nuclear power reactors, non- Health Respirator User Notice: power reactors, and all fuel cycle
Special Precautions for Using and material licensees required to
Certain Self-Contained have an NRC approved
Breathing Apparatus Air emergency plan
Cylinders
2000-05 Recent Medical 3/06/2000 All medical licensees
Misadministrations Resulting
from Inattention to Detail
2000-04 1999 Enforcement Sanctions 2/25/2000 All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
for Deliberate Violations of Commission licensees
NRC Employee Protection
Requirements
2000-03 High-Efficiency Particulate Air 2/22/2000 All NRC licensed fuel-cycled
Filter Exceeds Mass Limit conversion, enrichment, and
Before Reaching Expected fabrication facilities
Differential Pressure
Attachment 2 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Information Date of
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to
______________________________________________________________________________________
2000-15 Recent Events Resulting in 9/29/2000 All radiography licensees
Whole Body Exposures
Exceeding Regulatory Limits
2000-14 Non-Vital Bus Fault Leads to 9/27/2000 All holders of OL for nuclear
Fire and Loss of Offsite Power power reactors
2000-13 Review of Refueling Outage 9/27/2000 All holders of OL for nuclear
Risk power reactors
2000-12 Potential Degradation of 9/21/2000 All holders of licenses for nuclear
Firefighter Primary Protective power, research, and test
Garments reactors and fuel cycle facilities
2000-11 Licensee Responsibility for 8/7/2000 All U.S. NRC 10 CFR Part 50 and
Quality Assurance Oversight of Part 72 licensees, and Part 72 Contractor Activities Regarding Certificate of Compliance holders
Fabrication and Use of Spent
Fuel Storage Cask Systems
2000-10 Recent Events Resulting in 7/18/2000 All material licensees who
Extremity Exposures prepare or use unsealed
Exceeding Regulatory Limits radioactive materials, radio- pharmaceuticals, or sealed
sources for medical use or for
research and development
95-03, Supp 2 Loss of Reactor Coolant 7/03/2000 All holders of OL for nuclear
Inventory and Potential Loss of power reactors except those who
Emergency Mitigation have ceased operations and have
Functions While in a Shutdown certified that fuel has been
Condition permanently removed from the
reactor vessel
2000-09 Steam Generator Tube Failure 6/28/2000 All holders of OL for nuclear
at Indian Point Unit 2 power reactors, except those who
have permanently ceased
operations and have certified that
fuel has been permanently
______________________________________________________________________________________
OL = Operating License
CP = Construction Permit
removed from
the reactor
vessel
______________________________________________________________________________________
OL = Operating License
CP = Construction Permit